Vonnegut and Douglas Adams rewrite Brave New World and find The Future Perfect

by Kirk Mustard

Science fiction parody, with a serious inner message.

Genres: Science Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Pete · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vonnegut has subtlety, Adams has humor. This book has neither.

[Lorin Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clever science fiction parody that more or less lives up to its title. The author has a marvelous imagination and devises an endless array of a inventions in the urban world of the future. He weaves his political messages---green---within the text. And that is not a problem. The difficulty is mainly, I think, that the ebook is "overwritten."

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis of The Future Perfect

Zenith Cobra always wanted to change the world. He never dreamed he’d
do it with a theoretical animal.
With war, disease and wrinkles now things of the past, Zenith thinks
life has never been more exciting. He can watch a computer-generated
version of himself star in any movie every made, he can eat like a pig
and never gain weight by swallowing capsules that contain genetically
altered tape worms, and he can feel like he’s living in any exotic
place imaginable -- including under the sea or out in space -- by
flipping a switch on his room’s video walls.
Best of all, he can talk to computer-generated images of deceased
relatives and friends on the videophone, relating to them the same way
as when they were alive. If only he could convince himself, as most
people claim they have, that the souls of the dear departed are
residing in these simulated personalities, he’s sure he could finally
shake his fear of death and become happy.
In the meantime, Earth is losing its ability to support life. When the
world’s last wildlife preserve is destroyed by an insect plague,
society gets serious about saving the planet.
Zenith’s merchandising team reacts to the situation by introducing
“designer nature,” a science that promises to soon enable anyone to
design brand new animals by computer and electronically implant their
man-made genetic codes into chicken eggs. They introduce the idea by
way of a recently designed Dr. Seuss-like creature called the Smelix.
Overnight, merchandise adorned with the animal’s image becomes the
rage, though the Smelix is yet to exist in the flesh.
Soon Zenith find himself at the center of a global debate over using
designer nature to finally free mankind from the cold, cruel hand of
Mother Nature by replacing her with a completely man-designed,
people-friendly, insect-free ecosystem.
But is this plan just a scientifically unsound merchandising scheme
that will keep people in denial until the bitter end? The answer sends
Zenith and humanity in a direction that will completely surprise
readers, making them laugh while opening up to the deeper
possibilities of human existence.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoy books that have a small cast of characters that are easy to keep track of, books that keep on track with plot lines, books that from start to finish are easy reads, books that do not make me scratch my head in confusion because I am unsure of what is happening.
I can honestly say this book has none of the characteristics above, it does have a very long story line that at times confuses if not downright loses the reader. However while that is true, while there are errors in word spelling, word use and sentence structure throughout the writing there is also a strange fascinating science fiction fantasy taking place that entertains, at times disgusts, at others makes you laugh out loud, and ultimately surprises no one with the way things turn out in the end. Maybe the reason is that we are too cynical in modern times but the idea of a Utopian paradise that is the goal of the society described in this story is too far fetched even in the context it is constructed for me. Not only that but the idea of an imaginary creature that could do household chores, be the ultimate in friendly family pets and all around be harmless to humans was something that just made me shake my head. After all when has man ever created something totally harmless?

This book is for those of us who can totally get into a character named Zenith Cobra or Apex Caliente and take them as they are presented, for those like myself who tend to be a bit more on the pedantic side the flamboyance of Zenith is going to be lost in translation.

I would recommend this read to anyone who seeks a sci-fi fantasy read that has a large cast of characters, who enjoys exploring a world that is all about the technology and exploiting peoples every whim, a reader who can immerse themselves easily with no regards to structured story lines and has no problem keeping track of what is going on no matter how off the wall it may be.

I did not hate nor did I love this book, it showed me just how humanity has managed to continue on a path to self destruction that I heartily hope never comes true. Not only that but I hope that people who read this one understand that while it may be all in fun it also holds real truths behind the zany presentation of the story.

{A Kindle copy of this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.}

[Kirk Mustard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, provocative, highly imaginative look at where mankind might end up.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this amazing science fiction/fantasy treatise, Mustard portrays a hyperactive world where artificial intelligence has progressed to the point that no one dies and technology has everyone and everything moving at a frenetic pace. As the novel opens, our hero, Zenith, is chatting on his WristComp with his cousin Melody, who has just gone "Nophy," meaning she's dead (although this archaic term no longer exists). A computer has stored her personality and now she exists virtually, a process invented by HarMoney, a massive global corporation. As quickly as Zenith mourns his cousin he accepts her new version and moves on to the pressing concern of a looming deadline for three new products for the marketing firm, TOAC, where he works. He and his coworkers Sparkle and Apex hustle out the products, hoping that one will catch on and be popular for a day or two, the usual lifespan for products. Amazingly enough, one of the products, a cute animal called a Smelix (rhymes with helix), crests and then maintains popularity and even boosts the country's GNM (Gross National Morale). This is a development that causes the government to realize that people miss Nature, or at least the idea of Nature. Everyone lives in cities carefully sequestered from the outside to keep out insects, bacteria, and viruses that are a constant threat. Two competing theories, sponsored by two rival companies, rapidly arise to reestablish Nature--TOAC Merchandising's Wild Kingdom and HarMoney's HumaNature. What people watch on DemocraTV will determine the course of the world!

Actually, it's hard to summarize Future Perfect because of its whizbang pacing. Also, Mustard's sharp social satire jabs at so many targets: sustainability, cupidity, overreliance on science and (especially) computers and technology, consumerism, social networking, television, herd mentality, politics and pandering politicians, propaganda, the military machine, and boom/bust cycles, just to list a few. More than a novel, Future Perfect is a gut wrenching experience that causes readers to question the parameters of human existence while satirizing those who tend toward navel gazing. I found myself laughing derisively one moment then shrieking in horror at recognizing myself in this fun house distortion. Truly, Mustard has held up a mirror to the disastrous collision course upon which humanity has embarked and its inevitable end. Like a train wreck, it's hard to watch yet impossible to turn away from. Even as you're aware of what you think will be the inevitable and horrifying outcome, you continue to gape at this pitch perfect rendering of humanity's mad dash to extinction.

I loved reading this novel, and I don't usually like science fiction. There's a lot more going on that what I could mention in this brief review without spoilers. Zenith is a fascinating character, and there are some dueling scientists, too, who are both interesting and hilarious. I could go on and on. Highly recommended for teens and adults. Available from Amazon and at lulu.com.

Reviewed from Kindle edition provided by author.

[Zahara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book it interesting and one I've read and retread, for the many interesting ideas mentioned. That being said it is obviously a self publish which desperately needs an edit. It's a sad world we live in where a diamond (admittedly very much in the rough) can be ignored by publishers while the autobiography of a fictional insurance company mascot can be a number 1 best seller (No I haven't read "a simples life" nor do I intend to!) I have to say I even went to the trouble to show this book to a few acquaintances within publishing.

The story itself is long and contains far to many ideas for me to even be able to offer a flavour within a summary but here goes, the world has continued on its current self-destructive trajectory and now humans are limited to sterile over commercialised cities. Daily Zenith and his friends attempt to produce some useless rubbish, people can by today and throw out tomorrow. One such item is the fictional Smeliex (the prefect pet) which seems to capture the publics attention so much so that Zenith sets out to make the creature real. For this he will need the help of Dr Armstat a very disgruntled scientist who has spent his life trying to restore earths natural balance. The question is will society self destruct or can anything be done.

I would recommend this book to readers of dystopian fiction and fans of Chuck Palunick.

[Line Skori]

I had to give up this book.. (33% done) There is just so many books out there I wanna read.. so so much..
I liked the whole idea in this book, but it felt to long :( for me to finish it.
I am so sorry and thanks a lot for giving me an ARC. Feel bad about not finishing it.

Coz the book had potential.. And I liked the whole idea behind it.
But I understood that this was some kind of parodi or something :/ so it might be more interesting for the persons who have read the other book.
Though the whole world in the book was funny to read about. Some kind of in the future, which was totally overexaceratted. And I liked it :D
Though as I sad it past to slow for me.. To finish it.

Hope someone else will enjoy it more then me though :)

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I guess it was a retelling of BRave NEw Wrold, which I've never read. I really think I should now though. this was a very humourous take on the future but in many ways it hit a bit close to home and makes it a little scary. The imagination of these two writers is absolutely astounding. And the ending was just perfect. I kind of wish there was more but leaving the suspense was a great idea. I would recommend it. It had its moments that were very hard to follow since pretty much everything is a fabrication but I was able to keep track. I was also very amused to be reading it on my kindle....

[Katerina Koblentsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read, with a cheeky trick of including other authors in the title! I would not have come across it otherwise though, so I can see why the author chose to publicise his book in this way. This was an enjoyable lighthearted story which rattled along, with some big serious issues at its heart. The characters were a bit thin and the humour was not quite up to Vonnegut/Adams standard, but there were lots of interesting ideas explored through this zany science fiction story.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, man. It's hard to say what I think. The book was funny, clever, full of strong images that stuck with me. It was also full of typos and the writing was often distrustful of the reader (gave too much info). A frustrating read because it could have (and SHOULD have) been much better. It's not okay to charge people for a book you haven't even proofread--using the spellchecker just isn't enough.

Also, I hope next time he uses an actual title instead of a tagline.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little hard to get into because it seemed like I was reading a Futurama script but without the beloved characters. It did improve as the story progressed. Overall, an enjoyable book.

(SPOILERS)
I do enjoy thinking about the idea of "Nophy" and how the concept challenged the main characters, however I feel like it was left a bit unresolved. Was there a greater purpose behind Nophy? Also, what happened to Monty? Why did he give up so easily?

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been enjoying this as SF Comedy is really my thing but in the last sitting, I began to feel it wasn't moving on enough for my liking. And when I realised I'd only read 38% of it, my heart sank. I can't face it right now.

One thin I will offer to the author as commentary: I never got much sense of the scenery, when I was reading. It reads more like a movie script at times. Ever thought of turning it into a cinematic experience?

[Suzi Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever concepts keep me coming back to read this book time and time again. I am always encouraging friends and family to read it in order to discuss its fascinating ideas with others. Yes, there is clearly some editing work that needs to be done, but I don't find it overly distracting. It lives up to its title in that it is reminiscent of the dystopian society in Douglas Adams' Brave New World and the style will be familiar to fans of Vonnegut.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not why everyone is saying they should read "Brave New World" before this, it has none of the gravity that BNW has. Definitely Adams, not meant to be taken seriously and totally irreverent and funny. Great word pictures and a protagonist falling off the end of the earth. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Jakub Adamčík · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find it too engaging, the plotlines branch at inconvenient places , I found it somewhat difficult to orientate through characters and until good half way through the narrative, there is no clear direction established as where is the story trying to go .....saying that it's not a bad book, just not my style I guess

[Marcel Mos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough to complete the book. But it is a bit too long and this is certainly not on Vonnegut's level.

[Stacey Albrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesomely excellent book! Tittle delivers on everything it promises. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Kio · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an odd book. I'm not quite sure why I read it.

(Contrary to the title, it's not Vonnegut's nor DA's style, and lacks either's humor).

I want an EleTank.

[Tyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review here.

[Jessica Hastillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

About halfway through I really didn't think I was going to make it to the end. The story became very slow. At the three quarter mark it became impossible to put down.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it.... until the abrupt ending

[Vk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do I think? Great book, great writing, great story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

it could use some editing, but i enjoyed the story quite a bit.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. read other reviews if you want to get real deep & meaningful. ;) it def made me think about consumerism and the way the world is heading.
writing style is great, but def needs editing!

[Angela Weibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Humanity - be warned.

Thought provoking. Exhausted at the end. Great book. Will re-read for sure. Artificial intelligence, we make something smarter than ourselves.